Wellsburg, W.Va. (AP) -- Brooke County sheriff Richard Ferguson says bones found hidden in a wall of a 19th century West Virginia mansion are from animals.

A group of paranormal investigators found the bones behind a basement wall at Aspen Manor in Wellsburg.

Silver-rimmed eyeglasses also were found.

The bones were sent to the Smithsonian Institute for analysis. Ferguson says Smithsonian employees determined that the bones came from chickens, pigs and either horses or cattle.

Ferguson says marks on the bones indicate the animals were butchered.

But he says authorities haven't determined why the bones were in the wall.

The mansion was built in 1895 by the Vandergrift family.

Later, it became an assisted living home and then a bed and breakfast.

(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)